Conservative and far-right forces target civil society groups across Europe, leading to crackdowns and legal actions against anti-fascist movements.
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Conservative and far-right forces are increasingly targeting activist and civil society organizations across Europe, with authoritarian regimes taking power in various countries. In Hungary, the “witch hunt” is being integrated into national legislation; Germany’s extensive criminalization of pro-Palestine protests has prompted UN intervention; and rhetoric in Greece is shifting further to the far right. The Hungarian government declared the anti-fascist movement a terrorist organization last September, despite no single registered entity existing for such movements, which operate as local networks across countries with anti-fascist traditions or high rates of racist crime. Experts suggest this attempt at preemptive suppression serves as a tool against various “internal enemies.” Similar trends are noted in Germany and other nations, indicating a broader strategy of normalizing an extreme repressive stance that challenges democratic freedoms.
In legal proceedings, a trial began in East Germany against six young men accused of belonging to the anti-fascist group Antifa-Ost, who allegedly attacked far-right figures. Separately, the US designated Antifa-Ost as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” in November 2025. In the UK, over 100 people have been arrested following protests supporting Palestine Action after its ban.
Authoritarian actions against activist organizations are not limited to Hungary; far-right European groups have also cut off significant financial support from EU programs like LIFE and EU4Health for environmental and health organizations, undermining civil society’s influence. Furthermore, the European Commission is reportedly backtracking on refugee policies while UN experts warned previously about criminalizing solidarity if a proposed EU measure made providing aid or rescue at sea illegal.
In Greece, the government continues to target human rights defenders, threatening over 100 organizations supporting asylum seekers. There have been baseless prosecutions against individuals and legal action against volunteers of NGOs like ERCI. The Hellenic Police are frequently accused of suppressing both far-right gatherings and counter-protests by anti-fascists.
Across other countries:
- France: While no law bans anti-fascist groups, authorities have dissolved organizations like La Jeune Garde and banned Gale in Lyon under the guise of public order violations or violent demonstrations.
- Czech Republic: Anti-fascist actions emerged in the 1990s to counter racist crimes against Roma; an organization called Anti-Fascist Action systematically documents far-right abuses.
- Italy: Anti-fascist initiatives are decentralized, involving political groups and cultural organizations, though the Meloni government has labeled anti-fascist actions as violent.
- Austria: Police have arrested seven anti-fascists in Graz under criminal organization laws; the FPÖ seeks to ban anti-fascist movements.
- Spain: While no official bans exist, state responses to pro-Palestine and anti-fascist demonstrations have led to arrests and street restrictions, with groups like Coordinadora Antifascista de Madrid organizing protests against fascism.
An expert commentary on Greece notes that far-right rhetoric has become part of government policy, citing the assignment of the Migration Minister to a figure with hardline views on migration, suggesting that while visible militant activity may be low, there is an underlying dynamic for strong fascist political organization to re-emerge in the country.
